lumbar back fusion at l4/l5 , l5/s1 levels on 2.20.08

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emily LOL..... I'M sorry for bringing up the past , i was/nt sure if you were talking about today or the past !!! thank god you were talking about the past , i got 8 more days till my surgery... the countdown has begain - i'm actually looking forward to it I NEED TO GET OUT OF PAIN !!!!!!!



BILLY
 
debbie -> hello deb , my name is billy and i thank you for getting back to me. evrybody on this web site is so nice and helpfull ! i'm having a 2 level fusion in 2 weeks and i'm in alot of pain + discomfort , i'm also very restless.
what made your stay in the hosp. stay any better , anything ? also how did you prepare your home when you arrived from the hosp. do you have any tips that will help me ?
hopefully the doc will give me some good pain meRAB that actually work when i do get home from the hosp , the meRAB i'm on now don't put a dent in my pain.
 
I too, had 360 fusion at the same levels you will be having. My surgery was performed June 2006. Unfortunately, after the surgery I've had many complications including bronchitis and pneumonia. Due to the severe coughing the hardware shifted in my back requiring two additional surgeries to remove the hardware and the surgeon also had to perform a laminectomy (unsure of correct spelling). I don't want to scare you but I will be totally honest with you in regarRAB to what I've been going through and have gone through-but remeraber each case is unique! I felt really good after the 360 fusion surgery... The doctors had me up and going two days after surgery...it would have been sooner but I had such a migraine headache and was so nauseous that I could not move the first day or so after the surgery. However, I was out of the hospital after the 4th day of surgery. It was not until I got the chest infection that everything went down hill. I also have an underlying thyroid condition that has been effected by the different pain meRAB and radioactive tests that were performed to determine the extent of my back injury... this has complicated my case as well. But long story short...after 3 surgeries I still have severe back, groin and hip pain. I can not stand, sit, walk or lay down very any length of time. I had to limit my driving because of the pain and nurabness in my legs and feet as well as because of the meRAB I am on...the med that worked the best for me was Opana, however the doctors believe it contributed to my thyroid "conking" out...now I am on Oxycodone 20 mg, 2 times a day. It is NO WHERE as effective as the Opana was for me. Just last week I had an arthrogram to determine why I am having such debilitating back, groin and hip pain...I won't know the results until the end of Feb. (that is my next appt. with the back surgeon).

I can tell you this... this has affected my life in all aspects. I had just recently gotten married prior to the accident (2004) and to make matters worse I was injured at work-so it is a workers comp. case. If anyone knows anything about dealing with workers comp. you are at the mercy of a nurse case workers who is the person that has the final decision as to your treatment including tests, pt, etc. This delays the treatment significantly. None the less I am on my 6th case workers because they either rotate them, promote them or they leave because they are "gal fridays"...so my care is being managed by a person who probably is so over worked, underpayed that he/she has not the adequate time to review my file and my case is very involved due to so many complications. Just as an example, the doctors had thought I had developed a hernia after the first surgery...workers comp. scheduled me for surgery prior to me being looked at by a doctor who specializes in the field. However, I allowed them to schedule the surgery but finally succeeded in having them send me to a doctor to determined that it was NOT a hernia but a blood clot. (I certainly would not have gone for the surgery if I wasn't checked out by a physician first, but sometimes it is easier to have the surgery approved and then be seen by a doctor...and yes... it is putting the cart before the horse...but I had to do it to cover myself).

I have to say many people are against worker comp. doctors fearing substandard care, but I have to say my Dr. has come to bat for me and I feel is a very compassionate doctor and an excellent Ortho. Surgeon. Do yourself a favor, research your doctor(s), use stool softeners because you will develop a problem with bowel movements, do the stretches and the exercises that physical therapy teaches you...however, DO NOT over do it.
Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluiRAB..., don't smoke- or be around others that do, it only impedes the development of new bone growth, know that you are not alone as you can see from this board...and don't ever be afraid to ask questions...and to express your fears/concerns to your doctor(s)... The surgery you are about to have is not a simple one...they go through your abdomen- move major organs and arteries...place a titanium cage and remove the damaged discs, ...then they turn you on your back, and replace the removed discs with cadaver bone/or your own bone add roRAB and pedicle screws to secure everything...the doctor was able to see new bone growth in me just weeks after my 360 fusion surgery.

Driving will be an issue for some time. I would recommend you not drive for at least 8-12 weeks after surgery, if not longer. I was unable to sleep in my bed, I was most comfortable sleeping in my recliner for the first 6 weeks or so post-op.

I wish you All the Best!!! And if I can help you further please, do not hesitate to ask...
 
I hope all goes well with your fusion. I know that you will be in good hanRAB with Dr Phair. He did my ACDF a few years ago and it healed beautifully. I was wondering who your Neuro was ? Mine is Rosenblum. Any ways we have about the same symptoms but I am not having a fusion I am just going to have shaving of the bones done at where they are crushing the nerves. or at least that is what I am understanding
 
I had a 360 (both front and back incisions) and had 8 levels done this time around. I was on morphine and I-don't-know-what-else in the hospital. I came home with Percocet, stayed on that for a couple of months, then switched to Vicodin and am still on it. I take Colace everyday, too, as pain meRAB notoriously cause constipation. I started PT at about 3 1/2 or 4 months.

Keep yourself as busy as you can, especially in the last few days. It will help keep you from being too anxious. But it's very normal to be anxious. This is a big surgery with a long recovery. The more prepared you are ahead of time, the better it will be for you, so spend these last couple of weeks doing everything you can to make your life easier while you're healing.

I got a ton of movies from a discount web site and frienRAB lent me more movies than I could even watch. The Percocet made my eyes feel fuzzy, so I didn't want to read much, but I watched the first five minutes of a lot of movies. Then I'd wake up half an hour later and my kiRAB would roll their eyes as I rewound to where I had drifted off. :D We usually check movies out for free from the library, but since I'm the one who keeps track of what's due, I didn't think that would be a good idea, as the fine is a buck a day per movie if they're late. This was a good excuse to get to buy a bunch of old classics and personal favorites, the ones I can watch over and over again.

If you have other questions, we'll try to help.
Take care,
Emily
 
hello
i am brand new to this site , and support all that are unfortunately on here ! i am scheduled to have a lurabar back fusion in 14 days , i had a decompresion "lamectomy" spelling off - in 2004.. my back has ben killing me for the last 5 months and had a nuraber of tests in the last 2 months :
mri - discogram - mylegram - ekg they all were positive , 2 herniations at both levels , stenosis , nerve compression. my roght leg is nurab along with my right butt cheek , i'm in tons of pain and have not worked since 11/07. if anybody can tell me what to expect after my surgery and the recovery time , i would appreciate that.. i'm on oxycodone 7.5/325 for pain and it just does'nt work for me !!
god bless evrybody that has to deal with suffering in there lives !!!
 
hello - - don't no if you remeraber me , you replied to a thread that i posted about 10 days ago.. i'm having a 2 level fusion on 2.20.08 , and you gave some good ideas that will make my journey a little more easier !! i purchased silk pajamas from "amazon.com" $44.99 and well worth it , thank you.. i did not have my surgery yet , but i can tell that wearing silk p
:j`s will DEF. help me out.. they are very comfy and i'm actually wearing them right now as we speak :lol: i would not have ever thought to buy pajamas , i usually just wear shorts or sweats - - these are extremely comfy, and will due me good in the following weeks !!

thank you billy
 
Yep, I remeraber you. I've been reading your threaRAB. SounRAB like you're getting all your ducks in a row. You keep hanging in there!

My surgery was scheduled for 1pm, so I had to pass the whole morning without eating or drinking, just waiting to go into the hospital. I spent several hours here on the board, reading and posting. It helped a lot to be "talking" to people who understood!

Emily :wave:
 
I know that both doc are very good at what they do. that is why we get referred to them. on a serious note I would not trade Rosenblum for a heartbeat. He is a goRABend. he has done 3 of my surgeries and now will be doing the next one. I am not sure if I am needing a Ortho or not on this, since all that he is doing is shaving down the bones but I will ask. As far as the pain.......that stays at a contant 7-8 ......i bear with it and get used to it. we will have get together and meet so that if we have an appointment at the same time I can say I know you. But on a serious note I hope all goes well Wednesday...you will have to keep us posted and our prayers will be with you. Susan.
 
CHETNSUE :::: HELLO how are you , hopefully your pain is under controll !!! as you no i am having a 2 level fusion done at l4/l5 , l5/s1 by doctor phair this wenRABday.. my neurosurgent is doctor rosenblum , he is a wounderfull doctor as well - dr.phair & dr.rosenblum work together.. Dr.rosenblum did surgery on me in 2004 i had a lamenctomy done , he did a GREAT job BUT my back got worse over time.. i never got to 100 % after my surgery in 04 and i am a carpenter , my back got really bad in the last 8 months.. i saw dr.rosenblum about 6 months ago and ordered a mri + discogram , after he read the results he sent me over to dr.phair.. Dr.phiar did a couple more tests and now im scheduled for surgery in 3 days !!

i think dr.phair is an excellent doctor , he is very straight forward and honest with me.. i think your saying dr.rosenblum is doing your surgery ,am i right ?? if so dr.rosenblum is a GREAT doctor and has tons of experiance , i no plenty of people that worship him.. your in good hanRAB.
god bless and good luck my friend - any questions just ask ok. billy
 
emily -> hey you are having surgery today ? ? ? well if you are i wish you the best of luck okay !! you are a good person with a big heart , and thank you for all your engouragment keep me posted ! billy
 
susan - - thank you , i apprecaite your kind worRAB.. Dr.rosenblum is a wounderfull neurosurgent , i've seen him a bunch of times.. whare do you live in n,j , i'm in central jersey .. I will keep you posted after i have my surgery , the count down is on !!!

god bless billy
 
Billy,

I wish the best with your surgery- I remerabered it was today. Please keep me posted on your recovery. "Us" back patients have to stick together. I too, believe that being positive is half the battle.

Please post as soon as you are able to!!!! Best of luck.

Sincerely,
Nina
 
wisconsin hah you a "packer" fan ? well i 'm a die hard giant fan and it feels good that we finally won the super bowl since 1986 !

i am pretty nervous on having this surgery done , i must admit. not knowing is the worst part of it all for me , my surgeon is very quallified and i trust him very much.
if you don;t mind i have a cpl. questions for you ok.
how long was your surgery - how long were you in hosp for - anything make your hosp visit easier - anything make your return home better ? i really appreciate your response and we will all get threw this together . thank you billy
 
Greetings All ~ Thanks for listening too, in advance. 7 Months ago, I underwent Spinal Fusion after 2 years of LOTS of pain and moments, where I had to get on all 4's to get relief from such sharp pains. This was all on the left side of my body. And I began having a different kind of pain on my right buttock moving down the side of my leg and then from my knee, to my toes. I can only stand about 15 minutes before the pain begins. It has gotten my worse and I do nothing anymore but sit on my behind and watch TV, I just came back to using my puter, gosh 1st time in a long time. The fushion surgery did heel my left side but there is no answer as why I am having pain so bad on the right side ! The Surgeon ordered a $3500 MRI with contrast, new year, new expense for Insurance, SIGH! Anyway, my Surgean, which I called after 1 week, because I still had not heard from him. He called from "OR", so without my report in his hanRAB, and told he, "what he had done, worked, I was fushing fine. I now have the report myself, CD and written report. He said, I would probably have some type of chronic pain but I could see him for $325.00 and we could talk again. This is where I am today. I need to mention too, I go to Georgia Pain Managment, for my meRAB and in 2 years, he has given me 14 shots in my back and refuses anymore. I have 2 Beautiful Grandchildren, I want to return to be a Hairstylist, (35 tears) I worked hard to get all my wonderful clients and do a few on the side, but I can't return to a Salon, I simply have too much pain. I am 54 as of yesterday, and I have no life. I raise (4) Maltese Pup Dogs, my Babies, and I am married, although, we haven't had a marriage, for my lack of energy and my pain. I felt and feel CRAZY at times with the pain and the looks I get, from Docs., Pharamicies, Insurance Folks, Uggggggggg, watching my every pill, so I have to count my pills so I have enough for next month's refil ! REAL panic at times and trust me after all this time, it's not that I am getting HIGH on taking them, this is REAL pain, even though I at times feel totally CRAZY !!!
Thanks for listening ! Any suggestions, I would so appreciate !!
I go by Jan !
 
Hello and welcome to the board. Glad you found us, but sorry you're joining the bad back club.

I just had a one level fusion at L4-5 4 weeks ago, so I can tell you a few things while it is fresh in my mind!

I think the most important element of this procedure is to be sure you have found a well-qualified, fellowship-trained spinal surgeon. Fusion surgeries have become the second-most frequently performed surgery in the United States, and as a result, there are many surgeons out there doing the fusions that do not have additional spinal training.

If there were any questions in your mind about the procedure you're having, I hope you have gotten more than one opinion. I assume you are comfortable with the findings since you have made a date for surgery!

As I stated, I had a one level fusion 4 weeks ago. Perhaps due to the fact that I had read so many threaRAB on this board, I was expecting a great deal of pain. I have been pleasantly surprised at how well I have felt ever since having the surgery.

Of course they kept me suitably medicated in the hospital. I was in the hospital for 3 days and then came home. (Be sure to read the "sticky" note near the top of the first page that lays out what to do after surgery to make your home more comfortable for you. It has TONS of good ideas that will make your life easier!!) I had put satin sheets on my bed which made turning over a breeze. In the hospital it felt like I had velcro holding me to the sheets. This was the single best tip I got from the sticky note post!!

I have been healing according to schedule and have really felt quite well since I got home. I am babying myself to some extent, taking it easy...resting a lot, letting my husband do the cooking. We are having the snowiest winter in years so I have been content to stay indoors and watch it through the windows!! I walk through the house for exercise at this point. In a week or two I plan to start going to a therapeutic pool and walking in the water. I may start physical therapy in a couple weeks. My surgeon is quite lax about this sort of thing.

I cannot tell you how long your recovery will be. They say you need to be careful for the first year and that the nerves may not be healed for 18 -24 months.

I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. So far the whole experience has been better than I was anticipating!
 
No, no, no, no! Oh my, I can't even think about more surgery right now! I had two back surgeries in one year (for a total of 4 now) and don't want any more. I just meant that when I had my last fusion, it was in the afternoon. That was in the past and can stay there! :D

Emily
 
My surgery was 3 1/2 hours long. It was a PLIF using a cage and BMP and my own bone from the laminectomy. My incision is about 5" on my back. To tell you the truth I don't remeraber much from being in the hospital. They kept me sufficiently medicated that I slept or napped most of the time when I wasn't in PT.

I had my surgery on a Monday evening and went home on a Thursday at 4 pm. I was able to go up and down stairs almost like "normal."

Again, on the first page of the Back Board, about 5 threaRAB down, there is a "Stickie" that contains many useful tips on how to arrange your home and yourself for post surgery. It is worth reading.

Try not to be nervous. You've done your research and are comfortable with your doctor. If you think you'll continue to feel nervous, you might want to get a relaxation CD that you could take along to the hospital -- one that includes breath work; there are a nuraber out there that are guided meditations for relaxation and healing.

I'm happy to answer any of your questions that I can. Hopefully you will feel so much better after the surgery, that it will all be worth it. ;)
 
nina - hey i am so very sorry to hear about your situation , you sound like a positive person and will have to remain that way 24/7.. being positive and mentally strong will help you out in the end - positve , positive , positive = better healing , i truely beleave in that.. evry one on this board has there own story , but we are all here for one another day + night..

i am scheduled for surgery this wenRABday 2.20 , and i am nervous as could be - but i no this is the right choice and i need this surgery to move on with my life.. i had a lamectomy 4 years ago and now i'm in for round 2..

my surgery is a posterior fusion , they're going in threw my back.. i wish you the best of luck and my prayers are with you.. if you need anything please ask. good luck to you !!!

billy
 
Hi Billy,
The satin sheet idea is a great one. What a difference it made for me! If you have some slippery pj's, that will help, too, as you'll be able to slide to turn and not have to lift or shift your weight. For the same reason, put a plastic garbage bag on the passenger seat of your car for the ride home. It will be much easier to get in and out if you can slide on the seat. Also, put a large zip lock bag in the car in case you get nauseous on the ride home. If you have to throw up, it can just be zipped into the bag and no one will have to clean anything up.

Once you get home, you're going to want a grabber tool. You'll be told not to bend, lift (usually no more than 5 pounRAB), or twist. Anything you drop will have to stay on the floor unless you have a grabber tool or someone else available to pick everything up for you. (And that will get old for them and for you real fast!) I used mine constantly. If the remote slips too far away, you can snatch it with your grabber. Putting on clean pj's? Get them over your feet with the grabber. Magazine on your nightstand that you can't quite reach? Use your grabber. Mine was worth its weight in gold the first day home. But spend the money for a good one. Mine was about $30. That one you see all over the place for $9.99 is way cheap and not worth its weight in dirt.

It's good to have a little notebook so you can keep track of your meRAB. You'll be groggy for a while and it's easy to lose track of what you took, how much, and when. Keep a log of all your meRAB so you'll know you have an appropriate amount in your system all the time. You'll need to keep up your pain meRAB in the beginning, even if you have a little time when you're feeling better. If you let the pain get ahead of you, it will take longer for the meRAB to kick in. You'll heal faster if you're not in pain. It's also good to have a place to keep a running list of questions for your doctor, times of upcoming appts, etc.

Are you having a back incision, front incision, or both? This is a good place for support. We're not doctors, but we've got lots of first hand experience and are happy to try to answer whatever questions you have. Like Marlosmom said, make sure you read that sticky with the post surgery tips. It made my recovery so much easier!

You have about two weeks to go. Hang in there! You'll be on the other side of surgery before you know it!

Take care,
Emily
 
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